How To Create and Deliver A Professional Logo Package
If you’ve ever designed a logo for a client you’ll know the job doesn’t end once the design has been approved. The next part of the job is to deliver a professional logo package.
Your client will be using their logos on a wide variety of applications, therefore they will need the proper file format for the job.
In addition to providing your clients with the proper logo files, they will need multiple variations of their logo. Each client will be different, so it’s important to get a good brief to ensure you are delivering the correct logo variant that the client requires.
Logo Variants
When designing a logo for a client you need to be aware of where the logo will be used. Most clients will be using their logo on multiple applications such as storefronts, business cards, social media, and apparel — just to name a few.
This is important to keep in mind when delivering the final product.
Here is a list of the basic logo variations that the majority of projects will require.
- Black
- White
- Lockup Variations
Black Logo Variation
Providing your client with a black variation of their logo is a must. The logo you’ve designed could be embossed on promotional merchandise, laser cut as a vinyl sticker, or engraved on to a wooden sign.
Using the original color logo in these applications will not work, that is why you must provide your client with a black version of the logo.
Quick Tip: Design your logo in black first. This will ensure the logo will work on all kinds of applications while still remaining recognizable.
White Logo Variation
There are times where a logo will need to be applied to a dark background or dark photo. This will require your logo to have high contrast.
An important color variation you must provide to your client is a single color white logo. This will provide your client with a version of their logo that will work on darker applications.
Creating a white version of a logo isn’t as easy as just flipping a switch. You may need to alter the logo a bit in order to make it work in white. There may be times where you will need to add an outline to your logo in order for it to remain recognizable.
Logo Lock Up Variation
Your clients will use their logo in many different applications. One logo lockup will not work on everything it is applied to. That is why, to have a versatile logo, it is essential that you design multiple lockups.
Most logos will be made up of a symbol and a typographic element. If that is the case, you should provide your client with a vertically and horizontally stacked logo. Additionally, you may also need to provide your client with a symbol only or typography only variation as well.
Logo Files
Now that you have all the proper logo variants ready it’s time to export the files and create a logo package for your clients.
Here is a list of files you will need to provide to your clients.
- CMYK Vector Files
- RGB Web-Ready
- Transparent Variations
Even though you asked your clients all the right questions and know where the logo will be used, things change. You can’t predict when they will require a different file for a new application.
Providing all these files from the beginning will cover all your bases.
Vector Files
Vector files are made up of shapes and lines calculated by a mathematical equation. This allows the image to be scaled indefinitely without ever sacrificing quality. It is important that your logos are ALWAYS designed in vector format.
When delivering your logo package to your clients it’s important to provide them with editable vector files.
Below is a list of vector files to deliver to your client;
Ai (Adobe Illustrator): original working file.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScrip): Not everyone will be using Adobe Illustrator. EPS files are vector files that can be opened by a wide variety of software.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): SVG files are vector files that can be used online. The advantage of using SVG is that the image can be scaled indefinitely without losing quality.
Important Note: When delivering vector files to your client make sure they are in the correct color setting.
Ai and EPS files should be saved in CMYK.
SVG files should be saved in RGB.
Want to learn more about color settings? Check out my article; RGB vs. CMYK, When and Why We Use Color Settings.
Rastar Files
Raster files are images made up of pixels. Unlike vector images, raster files cannot be scaled indefinitely. A low-resolution raster image, when scaled up, will lose its quality and look pixelated.
Raster images are mostly used for web applications due to their small file size.
Since your clients will most likely have a web presence, it’s important to provide them with the proper raster image files of their logo.
Here is a list of raster files to include in your logo package;
JPG/JPEG (Joint Photographics Experts Group): Small file size, excellent for web use.
PNG (Portable Networks Graphic): The advantage of a PNG file is that it allows your logo to have a transparent background allowing it to be placed over different colored backgrounds and pictures.
Summary
Providing your clients with a professional logo package is essential to your success. You are being paid to solve a problem. It will not look good on your part if the client is constantly coming back to you asking for the missing file formats. This will make them feel like they have paid for an unfinished product.
Key Takeaways
- Deliver a complete logo package to your clients
- Include all possible logo variations such as;
- Black version
- White version
- Multiple lockup variations
- Provide all the different file formats they may need now and in the future, such as;
- Vector Files (Ai, EPS, SVG, and PDF)
- Raster FIles (Jpeg and PNG)
This article was originally posted at https://www.franconedesigns.com/logo-package/
